Line supporting device



April 11 1950 vA. A. ENSMINGER LINE SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Jan. l5,1948 Patented Apr. 11, 1950 UNITED `STATES PATENT VOFFICE.

;-Arthur A. Ensminger, Cleveland,-=.0hic, assigner to R .& .E ApplianceCompany;;Cleveland,-` Ohio, ...-.a-corporationooho .Application'January13, 19718. S erialNol/ZQUBS l ...'llhis.; invention rrelates? to line.supporting: rdevices, more particularlyr to supports of the overhead.type for...mounting` amultiplicity of clothes lines.

1.'It.is` necessary,duringinelement weather, for

washing to `be hung indoorsy for drying. Most hOmesfdoI not ihaveseparate laundry. or'.v drying rooms thatI are oi-suiicient-.size and.that can be setaside `exclusively for the.,purpose of drying clothes.:Accordinglyitl is customary. for lclothesv attached in place.andawhi'ch incorporates: an elon-v gated member orfrodfto'whichlinesmay"be attach`ed,`theelongated! rodfbeing' bodilyizshift'able laterallyforadjustment to difierentipositionsfor useand for storage. More`specifically;v the invention. conceives-ia lineisupporting device yfor:over-1.

headi'mountinglas by..attachment' to ia ceiling joist in? a lbasement'ort' recreation rroom, the device including .aiswin'ging arm which`mounts an' elongratedl rod'or bar thatlistswung bodilyxandl laterally.infan .arc to'zdiife'rent:positions.

:Another objectzis' to @provide line supporting devicestof the swingingor pivotingarmtype in which :the: :arms .have relatively 'iwide endswhich mountfelongated."barsiorrods to.v which thel'lines are attached,the devices :being used inpairsfwith;

the Ibarsidisposed in parallel relationesothat by pivoting thearmsfupwardly in unison,' thel lines can be movedupwardlypproviding.head. clearance in t-he room. in which.thelineslarefsuspended.

:Another: .obj ect.l is.; toi provide: afswinging Iarmfv type.: line lsupport...inr`whichxis: incorporated zim- .provedrlrmeans forfretainingthearmxn. different angulan positions. so.;that.theJl-inesmayrbeiadjusted astotension or. height.

Aiurther object ofthe `inventin isIto provide r atline; support.- `inywfl'lich :an elongated bar .orrrod ist-.supporteyhonizontallydnrlthe:lowerzfenoffaswlngingarm,...thelrod-i-beingmovablerbodily:'laterally:duringjswinglngmf .thei-.iarfmeanchthesrodisoilbeingsrelativelysrotatablemnethe lamn .fas-.the

e 2 latten'is swung-5to.: different; lpositions x of Yadjustment,thereby'maintaining a predetermined-'relative orientationffbetween the'rod-andv thee-lines attached thereto.

Still further objectsrrof-I the invention relate to certain details ofvconstruction fand'arrangements of parts which *will I :becomeapparent-, fromy the followingrdetailed. description. .This descriptionis .made f .infconnection with 1)the @accompanying draw nis forming;part ofthe specifica-nonfarm in which like parts :throughout the.several'- views are indicatedl byy the samevietters*and numerals ofreferences.

In vthe drawings FigureA l'fis' a side elevational View, foreshortened'and vsornevvlfiat i diagrammatic, showingfra pair :of line"s11ppo'rting.devices vembodying.fthe yprnciplesfoif the; present' 'inventionattached-eas to a basementceiling joistfandvsupporting a ynumberotr-unsfof flexible clothes line or rope;

A:'Fig. 2A isl aihorizontal View, partially in section and Withpartsbroken away and removed showing .the planfform of the line supportingarrangement. of Eig. .1; thisfvieW-being takensubstantially on the 'lineindicated--fatlZ-Zf ofv Fig;` liandf enlarged-with respect to thatligure;

I Fig. 3 fisvanelevational. View, partly infrse'ction andwith `partsbroken-awayfandremoved.v of one of the @linev supporting' devices, vthisviewbeing enlarged with respectI to the. preceding 1 views;

.Fig-.4 isiafragmentary elevational detailgfwith parts broken-away: andremoved, showingthe mounting bracket;

Fig..5 is ahorizontal sectional detail through the. mountingbracket.taken. substantially: on'.l the line.indicatedI at 5-;5..1of: Eig. l3,1. this View'. also showingl.y .in v.brokenlflines lalternativepositionseof the oornjoist. ton/'which the. bracket sfattaclied;4 and.Fig.-6 is` an elevational view rofrfonewofwthe gure 8 line fasteners ofbent metal rodi-for Wire,v this view beingdrawni to. substantially/.fthesame scale 'as Eig:-3.

. .A representative basement'installation.utilizingthe..;line,suppor.ting-devicesofithefpresentinventionisillustrated'andfincludes brackets :A'secur'edinf` spacedf-apartrelationtothe; undersideioffjoist Bof; the floorfabove and carryingpivoted :armslC:

inhanging.roriisuspendedf relation. On `lthe lower ends..'of..thefarm.Cl a .pair of :cantilever Arodsaor- 1 bars Duare .1mounted horizontallyinn-spaced parallel.relation,y clotheslfline lfbeing.strunglibetweenthe-f 1harsD .in azi-lumber. oirfvpara-llel. runs.

ifEach/Lofethe '.bracketsiA.: comprises: a'. metaleba'seplateuorr'member Zvwhich: isfformed -witha aspjslurality of apertures 3 thatreceive attaching means such as bolts or lag screws 4. The bracket baseplate 2 is disposed flatwise against the bottom edge face of the woodenfloor joist B and the lag screws 4 are screwed into the latter, suitableguide holes being first drilled in the desired locations. In Fig. 1 thebrackets of the two line supporting devices are shown attached to thesame floor joist, the brackets being disposed in relation to the oorjoist as indicated in Fig. 3

and by the full lines in Fig. 5. Should it be de#- sired to locate theline supporting devices in other relative positions, as, for example, ondifferent joists. the base plate of each of the brackets may be disposedagainst the-underside of the joist in the relative position indicated bythe broken lines of Fig. 5. Other methods of attaching thebracket baseplates to the ceiling of a room may be used, as will be apparent topersons familiar with such matters.

Extending downwardly from the base plates 2 and rigid therewith arespaced parallel guide elements 5 and 6 which closely embrace the pivotedarms C and support the latter as by a pin or through bolt 'I whichpasses through aligned openings in the guide elements 5 and 6 and in theswinging arms. The guide elements of each bracket are desirably thespaced parallel sides or flanges of a channel shaped metal stamping ofsubstantially U form in cross section, the sides being integrallyconnected by channel bottornv or web I0 which also serves as a stop forthe swinging arm.

Suitable means is provided for locking or retaining each of the'swinging arms in different positions of angularity with respect to thehorizontal and to its supporting bracket. A preferential arrangementutilizes a wing bolt 8 threaded through an aperture in the lower portionof the guide element 5, the latter being reinforced as by an integral orwelded-on boss 9 in the region of the threaded hole that receives thewing bolt. By tightening the wing bolt 8 so that the latter bearsagainst one side of the swinging arm C, the arm is clamped between theend of the wing bolt and the inside face of the guide element B.

In locating the openings for the support bolt I and the threadedaperture for the wing bolt 8, full advantage is taken of the dimensionalcharacteristics of the bracket and the arm to space the support bolt andthe clamping wing bolt as far apart as possible while yet keeping theside face of the arm C in position to be engaged by the end of the wingbolt in all positions of adjustment. A suitable arrangement is one suchas that illustrated in which the support bolt I is above the clampingwing bolt, the support bolt being disposed adjacent the. open side ofthe channel bracket and the wing bolt 8 being disposed adjacent the webor closed side ofthe bracket.

The upper end of the swinging arm C, curved or rounded as indicated atI9 to clear the bracket web IB, is relatively thin or narrow in thedirection of the pivot axis so as to .be received between The bar or rodD. Although the swinging arm may be' machined from solid stock or formedas av casting, it has been found tobe veryeconomical to'. make the armof a pair `of at iron orv steel strips I4 and I5. .The upper portionsofthe two' strips or arm members, disposed flatwise against one anotherand secured together as by welding, are received between the guideelements '5 and 6 of the support brackets and pivoted as a unit on thebolt as previously described.

Lower portions I5 of the strips Ill and I5 are divergently disposed,providing a relatively wide bifurcated lower end on the arm. Endmostportions Il of the arm pieces or strips it and I5 are angularly disposedwith respect to the divergent portions it and are substantially parallelto one another. These endmost portions are formed as with circularapertures, one of which is indicated at I8, to receive the horizontalbars or rods D. Thus, the rods are contacted at relatively widely spacedpoints or regions by the lower or wide end of the generally Y shapedswinging arm so as strongly to resist twisting of the rod relative tothe arm.

The rod or bar D may be solid metal or wood although preferably it is oftubular form, conventional metal pipe being suitable. At spacedintervals along the length of the rod, means such as gure 8 fasteners2li, bent from steel wire or bar stock, are provided for attaching therope lines I. One loop of each of the bent fasteners 20 is received inembracing relation about the rod D, the latter preferably being formedas by cutting, or, preferably, by pressure rolling with a rotary tool orwheel, at spaced intervals along its length with annular channels orgrooves 2I which receive the fastener loops interlockingly to preventsliding of the fasteners along the rod. The fasteners are rst sprung toenlarge their loops or eyes so that they can be threaded axially` ontothe rod D and are then clinched in place in the circumferential grooves2I, clearance being maintained to permit rotary movement or adjustmentof the fasteners on the rod. The other loops of the fasteners 2n receivethe lines I to.

be supported by the device. The rod D is freely slidable axially in thearm apertures I8, the sliding movement being limited by engagement of'the innermost pair of the fasteners 20 against the outside faces of theendrnost portions I'I of the Y shaped arm. This sliding t of the linesup-v porting rod in the lower ends of the swinging arm eliminates anynecessity for precise adjustment of the parts and permits the device tobe shipped and handled in knocked-down condition. The

rod D is formed in two parts of equal length having their inner endsexternally threaded to receive a conventional pipe coupling 22. Thiscoupling may be used to limit axial sliding of the rod in the arm shouldit be desired to omit the central line fasteners. The user assembles thedevice on the site by inserting the rod parts through the openings I8 inthe swinging arm. and screwing the threaded rod ends into the' coupling22. The rod is prevented from sliding out of the swinging arm while yetbeing rotat. able therein to different positions of adjustment i andaxially slidable over a limited path.

Although a series of clothes lines may be strung using but one of theline supporting devices, the

other ends of the lines being attached to a wall or. other support, itis preferable to employ a?! plurality of thezlinesupports as shown inFigs. 1 and 2. When a pair of the supports are thus used the clothesline I may be cut into equal lengths, the ends of which are tied tocorrespond- :ing loop fasteners on .the spaced rods D or, asv shown, asingle length of the clothes line maybe strung back and forth looselythrough the 'eyesvy or vloops of the fasteners 20 in a series ofparallela nmsrfthefendsronlyinf the fline beingitied toxftne fasteneriloops.

. EE-he'iarins fC are looked dn :lower positions, indicated y.by the,dullflinesiof the rgures; :by tightening :the wing-boltsBfthereagainst. 'When notin yuse the :lines may besraised out :of theway to provide dread riro'omiby .swinging the farms :SC upwardly.inzfunison an the :broken line positions indicated `:the drawings.."Ihe arms fC and :the

line carrying rods D arenseicured'on the raised positions as'hownlbyviiignltening the wing bolts 8 against the arms. By Stringing the linesI under tension the arms C'willftendito-remain in raised positionsWithout using ythe.-,clamping' -screwsror bolts 8 simply by swinging thehatt-varita,easviewed in Fig. 1, upwardly `beyond dead ,.center.position. Height adjustmen't "to suit the convenienceeofthe individualuser Lis obtained byimovingfthe arms 'C .to positions intermediate:those shown, `in each instance thel Ifarms'being 1' locked in fthedesired .adjusted position-s'by means fof the giving bolts 8.

iInaddition `to using .thelline'fsupporti-ng ileviioes inpairszorvtandem-as illustrated, they imay also :beiemp'ioyed in greater number, the'brackets A beingaligned .and the lin'es il' ibeing threaded throughthe-:loop .fasteners .of fthe intermediate .fsupporits, thus eliminatingthe need for clothes lprops'on .long suspensions. iWhenf-so emplayedy'the':fasteners `20 .of Ythe 'ventral supportsI are rotated so as toextend downwardly.

In their lowermost positions the arms C engage the channel webs l0 ofthe brackets, limiting the movement of the arms. Thus, in thearrangement shown in Fig. 1, only the locking wing bolt 8 of the righthand support need be tightened against the swinging arm, the arm C ofthe left hand support bearing against the channel web I0. When using aseries or multiplicity of line supports this feature is particularlyadvantageous since the lines can be held in lowered or utility positionby locking only the endmost swinging arm.

The line supporting device is in the general form of an inverted Tstructure, the base of the T being secured against the underside of theceiling or joist and the cross member or'arm of the T being swingablebodily and laterally in tightening the lines and in moving the lines toan out-of-the-way position when not in use. The ends of the cross memberor rod D are thus supported cantilever fashion by the relatively widelower end of the swinging arm. Contacting of the rod at relativelywidely spaced points by the swinging arm provides a strong joint orconnection which is eiective in resisting twisting of the rod on the armunder conditions of unbalanced loads which frequently occurs in hangingclothes on the lines.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes the principlesof the present invention may be utilized in various waysmodificationsand alterations being contemplated,` substitution of parts and changesin construction being resorted to as desired, it being understood thatthe embodiment shown in the drawings and described above is given merelyfor purposes of explanation and illustration without intending' 6;', bar@extending through the -:opening ithe arm ir'citata-ble therein, theibarffalso being axially movabl'elin ithe arm opening, spaced means ionthe ibar :and 'loc'ate'd fon opposite sides offathe arm for :attachinglines vto :the ribar, :said .dinesattachinfg rm'eans yalso :serving =tollimtithe Aaxial :movement ofthe bar inthe xarm, the armbeing pivoted onnthelbraclret )mear-1s .rior swinging movement about arsubstantiallyihorizontal .axiszand 'thereby movable .relatiyextosthebra-:cket means iorshifting `ftlzrefban: fbodilylaterally in 4line:tensioning and positioning adjustments fin whichAthe11nd,sfsubfstantially xfree itc `turn the rarm, and .means forholding ythearnrin diierent ,positions of :ad-l justment relative toithe Vbracket A'mea-ns.

.2.3I1nfafline supporting, devicebracket means for :attachment .to.-anioverhead.-support; fan :arm depending from the bracketmeans andpivoted the-reto. for..-swinging movement, :the :arm having altransverse fopen-ing. therethrough, an lelongated bar extending throughthe larm #opening andA forming with thev arm uan .inverted T structure,means Ion the lbar `on kopposite sides of the -arin forattaching linesAthereto ,and for :limiting axial shitting .movementI yof. rthe bar .fin:the .arm `lopening, thelongitudinal.anis 1oi. lthe harbeingsubstantially parallel to -the pivot .axis .of the v.arm i whereby thebar :is swngable lin van arcbodily laterally A.in line rpositioning. and.tightening adjustments -of `the TI' structure., `and .means .fori

means on the bar on opposite sides of the arm for attaching linesthereto and for limiting axial shifting movement of the bar in the armopening, the longitudinal axis of the bar being substantially parallelto the pivot axis of the arm whereby the bar is swingable in an arcbodily laterally in line positioning and tightening adjustments of the Tstructure, and screw means for eiecting a frictional interlock betweenthe arm and the bracket means for holding the device with the Tstructure in different positions of adjustment.

4. In a line supporting device, an arm and means on one end thereof forattaching the same to a support, the other end of the arm having spacedparts with aligned apertures therethrough, a multiple part rod extendingthrough the arm apertures, coupling means disposed between the spacedarm parts and secured to adjacent ends of the rod parts to retain thelatter in alignment, the rod being formed with a series of circulargrooves spaced along the length thereof, and fasteners for attachinglines to the rod, said fasteners each including a loop embracing the rodand disposed in one of the grooves to prevent shifting of the fastenersaxially along the rod.

, 5. In a line supporting device, an arm and means on one end thereof'for attaching the same to a support, the other end of the arm havingspaced parts with aligned apertures therethrough, a multiple part rodextending through the arm apertures, the rod being formed with a seriesof circular grooves spaced along the length thereof, and fasteners forattaching lines to the rod, said fasteners each including a loopembracing the rod and disposed in one of the grooves to prevent shiftingof the fasteners axially along the` rod, one pair of the fasteners beingdisposed one on each side of the spaced arm parts and closely adjacentthereto to serve as limiting stops for engagement with the arm parts torestrict axial movement of the rod in the arm apertures.

6. In a line supporting device, an arm and means on one end thereof forattaching the same to a support, the other end of the arm having spacedparts with aligned apertures therethrough, an elongated rod extendingthrough the arm apertures, the arm engaging a central portion of the rodso that the ends of the rod project from the arm cantilever fashion, therod being formed with' a series of circular grooves spaced along thelength thereof, and fasteners for attaching lines' to the rod, saidfasteners each including a'loop embracing the rod and disposed in one ofthe grooves to prevent shifting of the fasteners axially along the rod.

7. In a line supporting device, an arm and means on one end thereof forattaching the same to a support, the other end of the arm having spacedparts with aligned apertures therethrough, Y

an elongated rod extending through the arm apertures, the arm engaging acentral portion of the rod so that the ends of the rod project from thearm cantilever fashion, the rod being formed with a series of circulargrooves spaced along the length thereof, and fasteners for attachinglines to the rod, said fasteners each including a loop embracing the rodand disposed in one of the grooves to prevent shifting o'f the fasteners:axially along the rod, one pair of the fasteners being disposed one oneach side `of the spaced arm parts and closely adjacent thereto to serveas limiting stops for engagement with the arm parts to restrict axialmovement of the rod in the armv apertures.

ARTHUR A. ENSMINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

. UMTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 415,065 Rung Nov. 12. 1889430,431 Gloekler June 17, 1890 618,999 Sayer Feb. 7, 1899 667,523 HooverFeb. 5, 1901 714,704 Jackson Dec. 2, 1902 1,283,326 Schreck Oct. 29,1918 1,312,947 Billington Aug. 12, 1919 1,645,179 Bunyan Oct. 11, 19271,717,981 Kirshner June 18, 1929 1,892,687 Teufel Jan. 3, 1933 2,289,725Orton July 14, 1942 2,298,140

Mace Oct. 6, 1942

